Experimental and theoretical rate constants for CH{sub 4} + O{sub 2} {yields} CH{sub 3} + HO{sub 2}
- Chemistry Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439 (United States)
In this study, rate constants for the primary initiation process in low to moderate temperature CH{sub 4} oxidation CH{sub 4} + O{sub 2} {yields} CH{sub 3} + HO{sub 2} have been measured in a reflected shock tube apparatus between 1655 and 1822 K using multipass absorption spectrometric detection of OH radicals at 308 nm. After rapid dissociation of HO{sub 2} yielding H atoms, which are instantaneously converted to OH by H + O{sub 2} {yields} OH + O, the temporal concentration of OH radicals was observed as the final product from the rate-controlling title reaction. The present work utilizes 18 optical passes corresponding to a total path length of 1.6 m. This configuration gives a signal to noise ratio of unity at {proportional_to}3 x 10{sup 12} radicals cm{sup -3}. Hence, kinetics experiments could be performed at conditions of low [CH{sub 4}]{sub 0} (60-70 ppm), thereby substantially reducing secondary chemistry. Possible implications of CH{sub 4} dissociation contributing to the OH formation rates were considered. The present experimental results agree with a priori variational transition state theoretical (VTST) calculations, k{sub th}=3.37 x 10{sup -19}T{sup 2.745} exp (-26,041K/T)cm{sup 3}molecule{sup -1} s{sup -1}, clearly showing overlap of experiment and theory, within experimental error. The new rate constant values obtained in this study are 8-10 times higher than the values used in the popular mechanisms GRI-Mech 3.0 and Leeds Methane Mechanism, version 1.5. (author)
- OSTI ID:
- 20880642
- Journal Information:
- Combustion and Flame, Vol. 149, Issue 1-2; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved; ISSN 0010-2180
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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